2 arrested after stabbing near Fresno State

A man and his girlfriend are in custody after a Monday morning stabbing near California State University, Fresno, that ended with a traffic stop at a Starbucks across from the campus, Fresno police said. Arrested were Richard Lopez, 36, and Stephanie Luera, 37.

Lt. Joe Gomez said the violent incident began about 11 a.m. near an apartment complex on the 5300 block of North Sixth Street, where the 53-year-old man was stabbed twice in the shoulder and once in the back.

The victim and his 44-year-old girlfriend said they were walking to their apartment after getting off a bus with their 2-year-old daughter when they saw the suspects fighting while driving in a 1992 Honda hatchback. Words were exchanged between the two couples, and Luera reportedly tried to get out of the car to attack the female victim, but the victim was able to keep the driver’s door closed by pushing on it.

Lopez then got out of the passenger-side door and struck the female victim with his fists and then stabbed the male victim repeatedly. Both Lopez and the male victim fell to the ground on top of the victims’ 2-year-old child, and the male victim grabbed the attacker in a bear hug. Luera then got out and pointed what looked like a handgun at the male victim and ordered him to release Lopez.

Lopez and Luera then reportedly fled in the Honda, which was spotted by Fresno State police officers, who made the traffic stop at Shaw and Woodrow avenues. Inside the car, Gomez said officers found two realistic-looking airsoft handguns and an airsoft shotgun and a folding knife. A man who was also in the Honda was not involved in the attack and was not arrested.

Lopez and Luera were booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and child endangerment. The child was not injured.

This story was originally published January 4, 2016 at 2:31 PM with the headline "2 arrested after stabbing near Fresno State."